Aoshima 1/350 heavy cruiser IJN Atago 1944 Updated Edition

[SilverGhost]

Hello friends!
I started my new project for next 2-3 years



The model - latest version of Aoshima's Takao-class cruiser - IJN Atago 1944 Updated Edition
This version was issued at the end of 2018
This version is more advanced than Retake

Model contains 38 sprues and 1501 parts (but 687 not used)

I want to build Atago in his last configuration in October 1944, as flagship of last japanese armada.

I will use a lot of aftermarket
First of all - Flyhawk detail set for Takao
North Star figures, winches and ventilators
and over 20 other detail sets

I use many Japanese literature about these ships and photos from R/V Petrel


1. CG 3D Takao
2. Mechanism of Japanese Warships. Heavy Cruisers
3. Gakken Takao
4. Janusz Skulski. The Heavy Cruiser Takao (Anatomy of the Ship)
5. Eric Lacroix, Linton Wells. Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War

And one rare Japanese photo album will come to me soon - THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY 6 Heavy Cruisers Takao-class, Aoba-class, Furutaka-class/

Unfortunately, using Japanese photos, I find many mistakes in Anatomy...
It is bad news, who build Takao using this book and drawings...

Aoshima's instruction is a full :censored_2:... Wrong AA-guns scheme, wrong portholes without outside covers (at 1944 !!!)

There are no drawings or schemes on the Atago
So this building will be very difficult. More difficult than Haguro.

[Daniele]

Good luck , will follow with great interest

[Dan K]

You should get a hold of MASMS #26. The main deck plans for all four sisters are differentiated, and is included as part of the illustrations; they appear to be correct: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10064745

[SilverGhost]

I decide to compare the hull of model (Takao) with Anatomy drawings
In Anatomy Takao hulls at 1932 and 1939 were similar except bulges

So the result is awfull. Aoshima mirrored the starboard of the hull to the port side
Black and blue points - need to drill new portholes
Red points - delete portholes



Next I will compare photos of real Takao 1939 and Atago 1939 with model.

Then, I delete raised panel lines and start to adjust bulges to the hull. And sharpen their edges. Bulges didn't have thick edges in front and back.

[SilverGhost]

Good luck , will follow with great interest

Thank you Daniele!

You should get a hold of MASMS #26. The main deck plans for all four sisters are differentiated, and is included as part of the illustrations; they appear to be correct: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10064745

Thank you for information!

[SilverGhost]

instruction

[SilverGhost]

Decals and flags






and other details for stand

[SilverGhost]

In Atago UPDATED Edition Aoshima made new parts to correct anchor hawse
But the shape of anchor hawse is still incorrect
I will make a new hawse



Compare the bow of the model with a drawing from Anatomy
Unfortunately, the height of the bow is 1.5-2 mm less than the Anatomy drawing

[SilverGhost]

The keel is too thick...

The keel of the model is more than 2 times thicker than in theory (Anatomy)

[Dan K]

I wouldn't knock myself out over thinning it. No one's gonna see it.

[SilverGhost]

Atago sprues
Total - 38 sprues, 1507 details, 693 not used

Sprue A


Sprue for seaplanes



Special Atago Updated ediotion sprues
AT-1



AT-2



AT-3



AT-4



Old sprues
Sprue B


Sprue C



Sprue CT - for Retake versions



Sprue D



Sprue E



Sprue E - from Myoko cruisers



Sprue F


Sprue G



Sprue H





Sprue I - from Kongo battleships



Sprue I - from Myoko cruisers



Sprue I


Sprue J



Sprue M - basic sprue for Aoshima models



Sprue Q - basic sprue for Aoshima cruisers



Sprue R - for Maya



Stand


Sprue X - basic sprue for Aoshima models



Sprue Y

[SilverGhost]

Assemble Hull



Problem #2
The bow is too thick like icebreaker. it needs to be thinned

[Jon C Ryckert]

In Atago UPDATED Edition Aoshima made new parts to correct anchor hawse
But the shape of anchor hawse is still incorrect
I will make a new hawse



Compare the bow of the model with a drawing from Anatomy
Unfortunately, the height of the bow is 1.5-2 mm less than the Anatomy drawing

Enjoying your work in progress. Not wanting to hijack your WIP, but I am currently working on three IJN builds and the updated 1942 Takao is one. Have a question if you don't mind me asking but was the hawse openings at the bow the same for all four sisters of the class? Just curious as the new parts for the hawse openings in your kit are not offered in the updated Takao.

[SilverGhost]

Enjoying your work in progress. Not wanting to hijack your WIP, but I am currently working on three IJN builds and the updated 1942 Takao is one. Have a question if you don't mind me asking but was the hawse openings at the bow the same for all four sisters of the class? Just curious as the new parts for the hawse openings in your kit are not offered in the updated Takao.

Update info: The height of bow is correct.

The additional details for correct hawses are place at sprue AT-3. Details 57 and 58.
Sprues AT-1, AT-2, AT-3, AT-4 appeared only in the last re-release of the Takao-class model in 2018 - Atago Updated Edition.

AT-1 and AT-2 contains only Atago details.
Takao and Atago have many differences - decks, superstructure, funnel pipes, main mast, and etc.

AT-3 contains details for over cruisers, not only for Atago
AT-4 may be contains details for over cruisers

May be at next rebox of Takao-class cruisers (Chokai or Takao) these new parts or sprues will be in the box.

[Strategos Augustus]

Wow!!

SilverGhost you have commanded my attention!

I am excited to see what you do with this very handsome cruiser.

Thank you for taking such good pictures of the contents of the box.

Very educational.

I am envious of your documentation as well. Nice library!

[Joe Simon]

I'll be following this one!

[SilverGhost]

I corrected the bow and keel. 1 hour work with abrasive 270 - and everything is complete
It is not as difficult as it seems








So my bow now is as sharp as a wing of beatifull F-104 Starfigter
I can cut vegetables with my Atago's bow




I think my bow is much better than Aoshima's ugly fat bow

Decks and superstructure test fit


And I buy Chokai 1942 Retake with Aoshima etched detail set
5 years I was looking for him at ebay, Amazon, e-shops and other modelling forums. And I found him... In Russia
Chokai will be my next project after Atago.

[JIM BAUMANN]

Silver Ghost wrote:

==>>> I think my bow is much better than Aoshima's ugly fat bow <<<==

oh yes!--I fully agree-- a sharp bow can make or break!.

excellent progress with good detailing!

Jim B

[Joe Simon]

Nicely done!

[Dan K]

That bow is literally, so fine. Well done.